Engine-starting apparatus



Sept. 7 1926.

F. c. KROEGER ENGINE SATING APPARATUS Filed July 28, 1924 dummy y Patented Sept. 7, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE.

FREDERICK c. xRoEGER, or ANDERSON, INDIANA, AssIcNoR 'ro GENERAL morons CORPORATION, A coRPoRA'rIoN or DELAWARE.

ENGINE-STARTING APPARATUS.

Application led July 28,

This invention relates to electric switches and more particularly to switches for, electric motors for Starting internal combustion engines.

6 The object of the invention is to produce a starting motor switch at lower cost than of heretofore. A further object is to provide a starting switch which 1s particularly adapted for use with starting apparatus including an electric motor which is normally disconnected from the engine Which may be connected with the engine for cranking purposes by the operation of a pedal which also controls the motor switch.

l5 Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference bemghad to the accompanying drawing, wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings Y.

Fig. 1 of the drawings shows a fragmentary side view of an engine startin apparatus equipped-with-a switch embo ying the 5 present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the switch shown in Fig. 1, and on an enla'rged scale.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3--3 of l0 Fig. 2. D

Referring to the drawings, 20 deslgnates a flywheelgear of an engine 'to'be started. 21 is a pinion adapted to mesh with the gear 20 and to be driven by an electric motor 22 35 having a field frame 23. The pinion 21 is moved into mesh with the'engine gear 20 b a pedal 24 attached b y rod 25 to a lever 26 which is pivoted at 27 u on a frame 28 which supports the motor el frame 23 and which 0 is adapted to be supported by the engine frame. The pedal rod extends through the toe-board 30 of the automobile and is maintained in normal position shown in Fig.

1924. Serial'No. 728,591.

-able contact 46 insulatingly supported by the lunger 41. The-case 42 carries a sleeve 47 or guiding the plunger 41. Plunger 41 carries a cap 48. A spring 49 located between the case 42 and cap 48 separates the contact 46 from the contacts 44 and 45. l

The contact 44 is provided by the head ofthe terminal bolt- 50 which is insulatingly supported by the case 42 and extends through an aperture 51 in the case which is larger in diameter than the bolt 50. The bolt 50 passes through a locating plate 52, a non-conducting plate 53 located 'inside the switch case, a non-conducting washer 54 located just outside the switch case lain metal washer 55 two permanent loc 'ng washers 56 and plain Washer 57 and a nutl lock washer 58. The parts 52 to 58 are provided with apertures slightly greater in digneter than bolt 50. Bolt 50 engages nut The contact 45 is provided by conductor 60 which is attached by a nut 61 to a field terminal bolt 62 which is insulatingly supported by the field frame 23 adjacent the 80 left end thereof by a non-conducting block A 63 located u ongthe frame 23, a non-conducting 'washer' 4 located between a head 65 of the bolt 62 and the inside of the frame 23, and b two non-conducting washers 66 surrounding bolt 62 and located within an o ning rovided in the frame 23 for the lt 62. cad of bolt 62 is directly attached to a lead 67 of the field winding, the other lead being connected in the usual manner 90 with the insulatedfmotor brush. The nonconductin strips 53 and 63 are less in width than the distance between the parallel sides 70 ofI the case-42. Two-side lining members 71 of non-conducting material are located 95 against the casing side 70 and extend -between the side edges of-the strips 53'and 63 and interior surfaces of the side walls 70. i The head 44 of bolt 50 is provided with parallel edges 72 and 73 which are in engage- 100 ment respectively with the flanges 74 and 75 of the retaining plate 52. Plate 52 has a width about equal to the vdistance between the lining members 71. In this manner the lining members 71 and the plate 52 cooperate to 105 revent bolt 50 from turning when nut 59 1s turned. The bolt 52ismaintained substantially concentric with the hole 51 by a lug 76 inte al with the switch case 42. The lug 76 is ormed by partially shearing the il case and bending the lug 76 from the plane of the case thus leaving an opening 77.

The switch included in the present invention is particularly adapted for manipulation by a lever pivoted adjacent one end of the motor ield frame, and for direct connection with a field terminal located adjacent the other end of the field frame. The switch housing provided by motor frame 23 and case 42 is substantially triangular in longitudinal section so as to provide two sides which are oblique to the third-provided by the motor vframe. The switch plunger, mounted perpendicular to one of these oblique sides extends obhquely to the motor trame in a direction for convenient operation by the lever 26; and the switch terminal bolt, mounted perpendicular to the other oblique side, extends obliquely from the motor frame in a direction diverging from the plunger so that the switch terminal is readily accessible for the application of a Wrench.

Vhile the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosedl` constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming Within the scope of the claims which folloW.

What I claim is as followsz 1. A control device for an electric motor including a stationary frame having a pivi having a portion extendin away from the motor frame and toward t e pivoted member; a housing adapted to-fit over the said stationary terminal and to be secured to the motor frame; another stationary terminal carried by the housing; and a movable contact adapted to engage the said terminals, said contact having a. plunger slidably supported by the housing so that it will lie in the path of movement of the pivoted member and be engaged thereby.

2. A control device for an electric motor including a stationary frame having a pivoted member and provided with field windings, comprising in combination, a stationary terminal insulatingly supported on the motor frame and secured thereto by means of a bolt from which the terminal extends toward the pivoted member; a housing for enclosing said terminal, and provided with means for securing same to the motor frame; a terminal bolt carried by the housing so that said bolt will lie directly above the bolt that secures the other terminal to the motor frame, when the housing is in position on said frame; and a Contact for engaging said terminals, carried by a plunger slidably supported on the housing, said plunger extending obliquely to the motor trame, toward the pivoted member and in its path of movement.

In testimony whereof I hereto ailix my signature.

FREDERICK C. KROEGER. 

